Discovery and development of bisphosphonates
Discovery and Development of Bisphosphonates[edit | edit source]
The discovery and development of bisphosphonates represent a significant advancement in the treatment of bone diseases. Bisphosphonates are a class of drugs that prevent the loss of bone density, primarily used to treat osteoporosis and similar diseases. They are analogs of pyrophosphate, a natural regulator of bone metabolism.
Early Discoveries[edit | edit source]
The initial discovery of bisphosphonates dates back to the 19th century when researchers first synthesized these compounds for industrial purposes, such as preventing the scaling of water pipes. However, their potential in medicine was not realized until the 1960s when Herbert Fleisch and his colleagues discovered that bisphosphonates could inhibit the dissolution of hydroxyapatite, the mineral component of bone.
Mechanism of Action[edit | edit source]
Bisphosphonates work by inhibiting osteoclast-mediated bone resorption. Osteoclasts are cells that break down bone tissue, and bisphosphonates disrupt their function by interfering with the mevalonate pathway, a crucial metabolic pathway for osteoclast activity. Specifically, bisphosphonates inhibit the enzyme farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase (FPPS), which is essential for the prenylation of small GTPase signaling proteins.
Development of Therapeutic Agents[edit | edit source]
The development of bisphosphonates as therapeutic agents began in earnest in the 1970s. The first bisphosphonate drug, etidronate, was approved for clinical use in the treatment of Paget's disease of bone. Subsequent generations of bisphosphonates, such as alendronate, risedronate, and zoledronate, were developed with improved potency and specificity.
Clinical Applications[edit | edit source]
Bisphosphonates are primarily used in the treatment of osteoporosis, a condition characterized by weak and brittle bones. They are also used to treat other conditions involving bone fragility, such as osteogenesis imperfecta, and to manage bone pain and hypercalcemia in patients with cancer that has metastasized to the bone.
Side Effects and Safety[edit | edit source]
While bisphosphonates are generally well-tolerated, they can cause side effects such as gastrointestinal discomfort, esophageal irritation, and, in rare cases, osteonecrosis of the jaw. Long-term use has also been associated with atypical femoral fractures.
Related Pages[edit | edit source]
Transform your life with W8MD's budget GLP1 injections from $125
W8MD offers a medical weight loss program NYC and a clinic to lose weight in Philadelphia. Our W8MD's physician supervised medical weight loss centers in NYC provides expert medical guidance, and offers telemedicine options for convenience.
Why choose W8MD?
- Comprehensive care with FDA-approved weight loss medications including:
- loss injections in NYC both generic and brand names:
- weight loss medications including Phentermine, Qsymia, Diethylpropion etc.
- Accept most insurances for visits or discounted self pay cost.
- Generic weight loss injections starting from just $125.00 for the starting dose
- In person weight loss NYC and telemedicine medical weight loss options in New York city available
- Budget GLP1 weight loss injections in NYC starting from $125.00 biweekly with insurance!
Book Your Appointment
Start your NYC weight loss journey today at our NYC medical weight loss, and Philadelphia medical weight loss Call (718)946-5500 for NY and 215 676 2334 for PA
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's NYC physician weight loss.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available. Call 718 946 5500.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD